Water treating device



May 3o, 1944.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. R. oL'sEN ET Al.

WATER TREATING DEVICE Filed March 22, 19 4O r r n f rf a f f l n n n n r n r A a r n n y May 30,1944.'

M. R. OLSEN ETAI- WATER TREATING DEVICE 2 She'etS-Sheeb 2 Filed March 22, 1940` @5 ,N wwwlillll Patented May 30, 1944 www Umrlinl STATES4 PATENT OFFICE 1 Marvin R. Olsen, Glen Ellyn, John J. Reid, Elm-l hurst, and'Edwin C. Higgins, Chicago, Ill.,`as

signors to Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York i 1 ,l

application infarct;v .22, 1940, serial No. 325,346

(ol. 21o-3s) 6 Claims.

Our invention relates broadly to water-treating devices used in connectionv with a plumbing systeni. More particularly, our invention hasjto do with a device which is attachable to a water conduit and adaptedV to treat, with a chemical substance, portions of the water conveyed by said conduit. Said substance may be of various types; for example, it may be a soap, a water-softening material, bath salts, etc., etc.

A particular object of our invention is to provide a container for a chemical material designed for the treatment of Water, with `means attache able to a water main and adapted to pass a variable proportion of the water conveyed in the main through said container and for returning the water which has been passed through said container back into the main.

Another object is to provide, in a device of the type referred to, an improved valve mechanism which is simple in design, economical to construct and certain in operation.

Still another object is to provide a device ofthe f type referred to in combination with a sink, basin,

tub, or the like, the container and associated parts, except for a filling opening thereof, being substantially concealed, while the valve element is readily accessible.

Another object is toprovide a device of the type control referred to wherein the container and associated parts are especially designed to permit convenient flushing out of the container for cleansing purposes.

` Another object is to provide a combination of the type referred to which is thoroughly satis-V factory for the purposes desired.

v Various other objects and advantages will doubtless suggest themselves to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds.

Referring now to the drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of our invention:

Fig.` l is an elevational view showing animproved water-treating plumbing accessory embodying our invention, attached to a water main in association with a sink, the latter being shown' in rear elevation with a portion out away, together with associated plumbing; i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; l Fig. 3 is a similar view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a portion similar to Fig. 3 but with the valve in a different position;

Fig. 5 is -a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional'views takensllba stantially along the lines 6,-6 and "1 -'1,v respectively, of Fig. 5; y i Y Fig. 8 is a view similar `to Fig. 7, 'butfwith the valve in a diierent position; and

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing` anl alternative hookup. C

The numeral Ilirepresents the sump of ,a sink having a rear splash panel I l. Betweenfthe sump I 0 and the splash `panelll is a substantially `iori/'iontal ledge i3 provided with an, opening4 through which extends a neck portion l5 of .aj container structure represented generally by the,

`numeral I6. disposed behind the vertical wail of` the sink. The neck I5 may be exteriorly threade`d` as shown in Fig. 2, whereby it may be clamped,

to the sink as by th, nut l1, suitablegaskets befv ing provided, as shoWn.` V y'I he neck is provided with a closure cap|8,'a suitable gasket" i9 beingy interposed for providing a `tight seal. l

It will be understood that, althoughwe have shown our improved plumbing; accessory inconnection with a kitchen sink, this is vmerely byfway' of example. sinceour)l invention is equally applicable to wash basins, bathtubs, bath showers, and in various other relations in a plumbing system where water treatment is desired. Y,

The container lpifeferably is formed'in two parts clamped together. It comprises an upper portion 2li and a lower 'portion 2|, said portions having abutting annular flanges 23 whereby thev parts maybe secured together, as by bolts eX# tending through apertures in the flanges, a suitable annular gasket 26 being disposed between the two flanges, thus'forining a chamber for water treating material.

Preferably cast integrally with the respective parts 20 and 2| vof the container structure i6 isl a main conduit and by-pass system indicated gen? erally by the numeral 3. This system comprises a part Si whichis preferably integral with the a pair of independent passages therein, one of part 20 and a part 32 preferably integral with the part 2i. The partiti hasy an opening 33 threaded to receive an inlet 'conduit 34. The opening 33 communicates with? a passage 3'1- which extends through parts '3l and 32, said 'passaid passages `41 being L-shaped and adapted to also communicates with a-passage 58 which eX-;

tends substantially parallel to the passages 31 and 5U, then dverging so as to enter the chamber l 43, as indicated at 60. liquid from the pipe 4I is shown at 63.

The numerals 'Hl and 1| represent the usual f hot and cold water pipes, each having a suitable yvalve 13 with other appropriate fittings, the two streams commingling in a union '15.

The valve 46 is controlled by a suitable manipi ulating member, such as a handle 86 attached to a valve stem 82, a coil spring 83 about the stem retaining the valve in its seat.

Screw plugs 85 and 86 may be provided for threaded openings in the container I6 for access -of tools for cleaning passages 56 and 5I, respectively, the lower opening also facilitating draining of the container.

` In the operation of the device, the container I6 is charged with the material with which it is desired to treat the water. Such material might be soap powder, a Vwater softening agent, bath salts, etc. The container is then securely closed with the cap I8. The main stream of water flows through the conduit 34, the passage 31 and pipe 4I, whenceA it flows to the spout 63 or, in lieu thereof, a spray head or other suitable outlet device.` It will be understood that when the valve is vin the position shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 7, the entire now of water passes in the manner just described, no portion thereof being subjected to treatment.

When it is desired to treat a portion of the water, the valve is turned in such manner that the port 41 registers with the passage 5B, as shown in Fig. 8. Obviously, the valve may be adjusted so as to permit more or less water to be by-passed through the passage 50. Such by-passed water will enter the container through its inlet opening 52, owing upwardly through the container and out through the passage 56, carrying out treating material dissolved or dispersed therein.

When the valve is open, as just described, and as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8, the water which has flowed through the container and which has been treated by the chemical therein will pass out of the container through the outlet opening 56, thence flowing down through the passage58 and into the chamber 43, there to be mixed with the main stream of water. (See Figs. 4, 5 and 6.)

It will be understood that the jetting action of the main stream through the Venturi nozzle 44 will serve to suck the by-passed liquid through the container, thus facilitating the flow of the by-passed liquid.

It will be apparent that the valve may be adjusted to close completely the container from the main now of liquid, permitting one to obtain pure untreated water, or the valve may be adjusted so as to `oy-pass and treat a smaller or larger proportion of the water, as desired.

When it is desired to ilush out the tank as, for example, before a new charge of Water-treating material is to be placed in the tank, with the cocks 13 closed, the cap I8 is removed, leaving the container open to atmospheric pressure, the valve A spout for discharging 46 is disposed in open condition so as to provide a continuous passage from the inside of the tank to the duct 31, and the outlet of the conduit 4| is disposed at a level below that of the passage 5I. This may be accomplished very simply when a spray head attached to a flexible tube is substituted for the spout 63 or attached thereto and is movably mounted in the sink, so that the spray head may be moved down into the bottom of the sump I6. Otherwise, the same result may be accomplished merely by attaching a length of flexilble tube to the spout 63 sufficient to reach the bottom ofthe sump. In any event, it will be seen that the container I6 will clear itself by ordinary siphonic action. Y According to Fig. 9, the water-treating mecha-` nism is the same as in the other embodiment but is hooked up somewhat dilerently in that instead of the treated water being conveyed to the spigot 63, as shown in Fig. 1, it is connected to a exible hose H Which has attached to its free end a spray nozzle S which may be arranged at any convenient place in the sink. The operation is the same as in the other embodiment, the only difference being that the operator may pick up the nozzle S and move it about in the sink to spray dishes or the like with treated water when water is di-` vertedA from the regular channels through the treating device.

Various modifications and variations coming Within the spirit of our invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and, hence, we do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with a sink having a substantially vertical wall and an adjoining horizontal wall, a container for Water treating material having a filler neck at its upper end extending through said horizontal wall with the body of the container disposed behind and concealed by the vertical wall of the sink, means securing the container in said position, a removable closure for said filler neck, a Water supply conduit connected into the container and an outlet conduit leading from said container to a position for discharge into the sink.

2,'1n combination with a sink having a substantially vertical wall and an adjoining horizontal wall, a container for water treating material having a ller neck at its upper end extending through said horizontal wall with the body of the container disposed behind and concealed by the vertical wall of the sink, said filler neck being threaded and a clamping nut fitted thereto securing the lneck in the horizontal wall and supporting the container therefrom t0- gether With a Water supply conduit connected into the container and an outlet leading therefrom to a position for discharge into the sink.

3. A Water treating container which includes a chamber having an inlet in its lower portion, an

Wardly into connection with the container inlet, and a third passage connecting with the container outlet and extending downwardly into connection with the first passage at a point between the intake opening and the discharge opening thereof.

4; In a water treating container as defined in claim 3, a single valve disposed in the upper end portion of said rst passage said valve providing the connection between the rst passage and the second passage and the connection between the container and the third passage and being adjustable to a position at which it closes both connections.

.5. In combination, a structure which includes a chamber having an inlet in its lower portion, an outlet in its upper portion and an opening at the top of the chamber to receive a charge of water treating material, a removable closure for said opening and means disposed laterally of the chamber providing a system of passages substantially within the height of said chamber, a rst passage having an intake opening in its upper portion communicating with a water main and having a discharge opening in its lower portion, a second passage having connection, with the rst above the intake thereof and extending downwardly into connection with the cham-ber inlet and a third passage connecting with the chamber outlet and extending downwardly into constantly open connection with the rst passage at a point down-stream from the connection of the second passage with the rst together with a valve which provides the connection of the second passage with the first and also provides the connection between the chamber outlet and the third passage, said valve being disposed in the first passage above the intake opening thereof and being adjustable to a position at which it closes both of the connections provided as aforesaid whereby the ow of water is permitted from the intake through the rst passage without any accompanying flow of water through the chamber.

6. In combination with a, sink having a substantially vertical wall and an adjoining horizontal wall, a container for water treating material comprising a structure which includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a passage having an intake opening communicating with a Water main and having a discharge opening communicating with a delivery pipe, and a system of passages arranged to by-pass water from said passage to the inlet of said chamber and from the outlet thereof back into the passage, said chamber also having an opening at its upper end formed with a filler neck extending through said horizontal wall of the sink with the body of the container disposed behind and concealed by the vertical wall of the sink, means securing the container in said position, a removable closure for said filler neck, a valve having a body which is rotatively adjustable about a vertical axis and which controls the connection of the said passage with said system of passages said valve having a stem extending upwardly through said horizontal Wall of the sink and an actuating handle on said stem accessible above said wall. l

MARVIN R. OLSEN. JOHN J. REID. EDWIN C. HIGGINS. 

